Developing Your Own Film

In this day and age most people have turned to digital photography. You can snap a picture and see how it turned out just a second later, automatically being developed all it needs is to be downloaded to a computer or printed at a local store like Wal-Mart. Some people still use traditional film where you don't know how your picture turned out till you get your film back. Most people who use film have to have it sent off in order for it to be developed. I fortunately know how to develop my own black and white film and have the resources to develop my black and white film through my high school photography class.

When developing your own film it can not be exposed to any light what so ever, not even safe lights. You use a black 'bag' with sleeves that has two layers to prevent light from getting in. First you get all of your tools that you will be using in the bag: roll of film, can opener, scissors, two film reels, and a film canister with a lid. You start off by taking the top off your roll of film using the can opener, you then cut of the ends of you roll of film. You then feed one end of film through an end of the film reel, you twist the wheel to get the film to wrap around the reel and you will be able to feel for the end of the film to know when to stop. You then put the film reel with the film in the bottom of the canister and the reel without film goes on top, this is used to keep the one with film on it so that it gets the full effect of the chemicals. After the film reels are in the canister and the lid is on tight you can open up your bag and take everything out and beginning using the chemicals to develop your film.

All your chemicals will be poured into the canister with your film, all liquid levels will be 10 ounces. You will start with a developer that is part chemical part water, it has to be between 63 and 73 degrees in order for it to work and it's temperature predicts how long it will be in the chemical, while in the chemical it must be under constant agitation, after completion dump out. The second chemical is Stop bath, which isn't really a chemical it's just water, you agitate the water in the canister for a minute, dump out when done. The fixer is the next chemical you will use, you poor it in for 5 minutes and agitate it for 30 seconds and then for 5 seconds every 30 seconds, save this chemical. The you will use hypo-clear for 1 and 1/2 minutes, you don't need to agitate this chemical, once again save this chemical when done using it. The next step is a 5 minute water bath, with the water constantly running, pour the water out when done. The last step is photo-flo, this chemical is used for a minute, save this cchemical. After the last chemical you can take your film out and take it off the reel and squeegee the film.